Customer Reviews

Electronic Sensor Circuits & Projects, Volume III (Engineer's Mini Notebook)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a pretty interesting entry in Forrest Mims' Engineering Notebook series. In this short book Mims introduces the reader to circuits that convert physical phenomena such as light, temperature, and sound into electrical signals that can be processed by circuits comprised of commonly found electronic parts such as the 741 op-amp. Mims includes brief explanations of the operation of a variety of sensors and then uses these sensors to build small useful circuits. He includes construction notes and a theory of operation for each circuit. Mims includes such interesting circuits as those that detect the cursor on your computer screen and the position of a compass needle. As far as their usefulness, that is really up to the imagination of the reader once he or she gets these smaller circuits working as to what larger task they would like to employ them in. As with most of Mims' books, his circuits do seem to work the first time and you can't beat the price. A very interesting addition to your electronics library assuming you already have a basic understanding of electronics and circuit construction methods.

The projects are interesting and fun. You can learn things from this book, but will certainly need to know some foundations and basics first. Other books serve that purpose, however. This isn't meant to be complex or a book to learn those things, of course.

Music girl stated that the book contains hard to find parts...not sure if she means older outdated parts or simply because radio shack and other electronics stores are no longer serving electronics hobbyists.

There are many web resources for electronics parts. Some with small minimum order requirements. Mouser, electronics express, digi-key are three of the ones I use.

Please search the net for electronic components. If you are serious about the hobby these larger electronics companies will serve you well.

The companies above also have print catalogs they will mail you which is handy for seeing their product lines and they also have very good online ordering sites.

Forrest M. Mims III, Only the best information on the planet. This is an excellent reference manual, as it gives you Very usefull information on a range of circuits. You cannot go wrong with a Mims book. I have been reading his work since the 1970s.
An excellent buy

Personally, I enjoied a lot this book. Eccentric, funny, interesting with an "hands on" tone it intoduces to a good variety of sensors.
I would say that this book could be addressed both to beginners who can be introduced to the subjects in an "easy" not conventional way, and to the practitioners that can find in it useful suggestions immediately directed to the heart of the problem.
The subjects are explained in an "high level" way without entering in theoretical dissertation, you can find in it a brief explanation on how the sensor works and some schematics for managing the signal out from the sensor itself.
I repeat, not a conventional book. You have to be aware of this if you are planning tu buy it but, to me, it deserves your attention and it is , definitely, a good book.

Forest has a easy style to read and to understand. I needed to learn a bit more about building and using some sensors, so A Forrest Mims book is always a good addition to my reference shelf!

Simple, hand written, to the core, no fluff, no pork, no jabber, just straight circuit and sensor ideas.
The book looks like it was all hand written in perfect engineering fashion, this is a lost art only mastered by people who have enormous patience and a twinge of super-genious.
This book is a must! Even if you don't understand electronics, the writing alone is incredible!

This is a well illustrated book giving the reader basic circuits, circuit symbols, component descriptions and usage. It did not provide me with the exact circuit I was wanting to make, but it gave me ideas for other projects and circuits. The notes section in the back is also useful for me to make notes and designs. Solid foundation and refresher info for the hobbyist.

The serious electronics hobbyist needs all of the Forrest Mims' electronics books and "The Art of Electronics" in their library

I can basically recommend ANY book by Forrest Mims, at least all of them that i've ever seen. Enough said. If you're into electronics, get this (any any other Mims book).